Owned by Pirates Page 6

  "Our Captain truly cares for his crew, Miss, and listens to those who have something to say. It is a wise man who takes advice from all who are brave enough to give it."

  "And you don't feel like his possession?" I asked.

  "Not at all. I know that if I truly wanted to leave, the Captain would shake my hand and send me on my way. He has never treated me differently than the other men here. I think he wanted to win me because he saw how strong I was, without being ill-tempered."

  I grinned up at him. "Well, I am very glad that the Captain was dealt a good hand."

  Larry suddenly glanced to make sure no one was around the doorway. Then he leaned in, lowering his voice to a whisper. "Miss, please never repeat this. The Captain is a very honorable man, and as honest as the day is long, except for the thievin’ we sometimes need to do. But once a while, only in cards…" He winked. "The man cheats."

  My laugh rang out, bouncing around the small wooden room, making Larry laugh as well.

  Then he held out a bit of corner fabric. "Miss Flora, forgive me, but could you fix the point? It takes ten times as long with my thick fingers as it would with your dainty wee hands."

  "Gladly,” I said. The feeling of satisfaction of being a member of the crew, and truly contributing to the running of the ship, filled my heart with joy I could never have imagined. I’d always felt like my life was one long struggle against my father. Now I was part of a crew, and we were all headed in the same direction, even if I didn’t know yet where that was.

  It was a great relief to know that the Captain didn’t take the ownership of people as seriously as I had feared.

  I didn’t even notice how many hours had passed, until I heard a few pans rattle. "Should I stay here and keep sewing, or help McGee with dinner?" I asked Larry.

  He had been stitching away in his own little world for a spell. Looking up, he looked at how much of the sail I had edged since we began. “Good grief, Miss Flora. You're unbelievably quick. Sure, leave me to finish up here, and go give McGee a hand."

  "Thanks," I said, quickly putting my needles and pins away before rushing into the galley area.

  "How may I help?" I asked.

  McGee turned with a grin. He seemed quite a good-natured fellow, although a bit quieter than the rest. "Thank you, Miss. I don't mean to give you the dirty work, but if you don't mind scrubbing up those potatoes and carrots."

  "Good food is never dirty work," I smiled, pushing up my sleeves and grabbing the brush.

  In about an hour, dinner was ready, and I helped fill up the plates, setting them around the table.

  I noticed that Davy arrived first, fetching the tin mugs, and pouring out a round of ale from the keg in the corner. Then he turned to me. "Miss, would you like ale or water?"

  "Oh. Um, I've never tried ale."

  He poured a small sip into an empty mug and handed it to me. Swallowing carefully, I probably made a face as if I’d sucked a lemon. I heard Teeth laughing as he caught my expression on his way in. It tasted like old bread that had gone strange. "Water for me, thank you."

  Davy laughed, rinsing the mug and filling it with water. “Don’t you fear, lassie,” he said, “It tastes bitter at first. Then you just drink more until you no longer care!”

  I giggled, finding spoons, then sitting on a barrel. The rest of the men left the one beside me empty for the Captain. As I saw him come through the door, I felt a blush across my cheeks as I realized he looked for me first. His eyes softened the second he saw me, and he sat down very close.

  “Lass, Larry tells me you’re quick as a whip with sail edging. Well done.”

  He patted my hand where it rested on my leg, then he held it for a moment under the table, out of sight of the other men. For just a second, he entwined his fingers with mine, giving a squeeze before releasing me.

  I was feeling all sorts of wild new things, but the deep ache in my belly was insistent. I needed to kiss him. Needed him to hold me. For the first time in my life, I realized that I needed… even more. And not for the man’s pleasure, like I’d always been taught. For my own.

  ~ Chapter 8 ~ The Captain ~

  * Sleep *

  It was very reassuring coming down the galley to see dinner served, and Flora joking with the boys. Perhaps it was wrong to steal a little hand-holding under the table, but I couldn’t resist. Her sweet blush drove me wild.

  We enjoyed our meal, with the boys discussing what color shirts they should have, and O’Doule commenting on the upcoming weather patterns.

  Flora seemed entranced, as if she were absorbing every bit of information like a sponge. When we were finished, Davy poured another round of ale, but I waved him away. Although I’d never admit it, I wanted to be alone with the little lass.

  Once again, I nodded to the doorway, and she followed me. But this time she seemed more excited than nervous. Or perhaps I was just hopeful.

  Reading women was a lot harder than knowing what men were thinking. With men, you could ask them straight out. If they weren’t honest in their reply, that was their fault.

  But women, especially a dear lass like Flora, seemed to have been taught to serve. They never thought to put themselves first. I hoped to break her of this habit someday. First, she’d have to become comfortable with me.

  As soon as I shut the door, I spun her slim shoulders, unfastening the buttons at the back of her dress. “I see you’re not quite buttoned up,” I chuckled.

  “Oh, Larry thought maybe leaving my dress loose would help my back to heal.” She looked back at me over her shoulder with those sweet blue eyes.

  “That’s a good idea,” I said, opening the back of her dress. I couldn’t resist running my hands along her lower back for just a moment. She made a soft sigh, leaning toward me slightly.

  It thrilled me that she enjoyed my touch. It was such a simple comfort, and I wanted her to learn to relax and let herself go.

  I turned away as she changed into her nightdress. Once she was in bed, I pulled my clothing off, noticing as I slid in beside her that she’d left the top button open on purpose this time.

  “What have you learned about the ship today?” I asked. I laid on my back, turned a bit toward her. She laid on her side with her arm curled under her head, facing me.

  “I think I learned where most of the things in the kitchen are. I know where all of the sewing supplies are, and Larry had me edging a sail. I’m still learning the nautical names for things, but nobody seems to mind when I use the wrong terms.”

  “That’s my lass,” I smiled at her. I loved the beauty of her eyes when they twinkled with pride. “You just keep at it, and go at your own speed.”

  I watched as her eyes wandered from my lips to my tanned chest. I wish I knew if she was feeling the same strange pressure in her belly as I was. Reaching out, I dragged my thumb across her bottom lip, making her smile. Flora shifted again, her leg stretching out, accidentally brushing mine. Then she gasped as she realized I wasn’t wearing pants tonight. They were too stiff and warm, and it was awkward to sleep in them.

  She snapped her eyes up to mine, nearly shaking.

  “Lass, there’s something you’re going to learn while you’re out here at sea.”

  “Yes?”

  “We live in our own world. There are no proper people to judge us. No village elders to give us orders. No fishwives to gossip. If we want something, we take it. If we think something will give us pleasure, we do it. No second thoughts. We sometimes leap without looking. Do you understand what I mean?”

  “Um...”

  “What I’m saying is, you can say anything you want. Do what you like. And if you want to touch me, go ahead.”

  Her tiny gasp amused me, but something in her eyes shifted. She cautiously reached out her hand, placing it over my heart. Stroking gently across the planes of muscle, my skin felt rough under her feminine hand.

  “That feels nice,” I said encouragingly. I reached out to cup her cheek. “You’re even lovelier by lamplight.
”

  “I can’t get used to you being so sweet with me,” she whispered.

  I nodded. “You’re used to men being rough and demanding, aren’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Any men besides your father?”

  “Yes.”

  My jaw clenched, and couldn’t help the wave of jealousy that flashed through me. “Who?”

  “Thomas Glazenby. He was a shopkeeper in my village that my father had talked into marrying me.”

  “What happened?” My hand slid from her cheek to cradle the back of her head gently.

  “He was a dreadful, nasty old man who spat when he spoke. He called me a trollop, and said he’d keep me...” She stopped.

  “Go ahead.”

  She frowned before finally whispering, “On my knees, sir.”

  “Son of a bitch,” I muttered under his breath. “Sorry, lass.” I took a moment and a breath to compose himself. “Did he ever touch you?”

  She shook her head emphatically. “No, sir. When my father insisted he court me, I tried to allow him to hold my hand, but couldn’t continue.”

  “Good girl.” I was surprised at the wave of relief I felt. Flora was so sweet that I wanted to think of her as pure. At the very least, not having been taken unless she desired it.

  “My father said that by refusing to wed him, I disgraced us all. That’s when he started rationing my food even more, and saying that I was eating him out of house and home. When I didn’t change my mind after a month, that’s when he tried to beat the evil out of me.”

  I tucked my arm under her shoulders, drawing her to me so that she was snuggled against my chest as she had been this morning. She smiled up at me and resumed wandering her hand across my skin. She stroked upward to my shoulder, then along the length of my arm.

  “Where did you get all of these tattoos?” she asked.

  “In many ports, across many countries,” I said with a touch of pride.

  “Some of these are lovely drawings.” She pointed to a scene of a dragon over a mountain on my right bicep. “I’ve seen the woodcut this is taken from in a book.”

  “You have a sharp recollection, lass. You must have done well with your schooling.”

  “Of course, sir. My mother was a teacher before she married.”

  “I like a clever lass. Sometime soon, we’ll have some ale and you can read us a real story instead of our own tales we’ve heard a hundred times before.” She was finally relaxed against me, tucked right into my side. “I knew that you’d find ways to improve this ship,” I joked.

  Her eyes sparkled as she grinned. “I promise not to start decorating, and adding floral fabrics in every corner.”

  I leaned down to kiss her forehead lightly. “You decorate the world just by being in it.”

  The blush on her fair cheeks was so fetching I could barely control myself. I shifted, holding her so that she could either cuddle against me, or roll away. I was delighted that she used me for warmth, her tender body so soft against my hard frame.

  I kissed her forehead again, and murmured, “Goodnight, lass.”

  Examining her eyes, I wondered if a chaste kiss would leave her wanting. It certainly left me needing more. As I leaned down toward those soft lips, it warmed my heart that she stretched up to meet me.

  This time, my arm held her closer. Her little hand gripped me tightly as she pulled in. The blissful heat overtook us for a moment, her mouth opening slightly as she made the sweetest faint sigh.

  I reluctantly leaned back, not wanting to overwhelm her. Then I kissed the tip of her nose, making her giggle. “Sweet dreams,” I said, holding her against me as we drifted off.

  ***

  I awoke to find that we had both shifted in the night. My arms were wrapped completely around her, and our legs were entwined. Her silky thigh lay bare over mine in a manner that was quite indecent. Yet I couldn’t bring myself to pull away, my heart racing wildly.

  Looking down into her eyes that were just beginning to open, I tried to keep my breathing steady. Her hand wandered over my chest again, and I tilted my chin toward her instinctively.

  The urge to kiss her traveled through me, igniting every nerve. But I’d already taken too many little moments, without quite being sure what she wanted.

  “You said the sea is a place of freedom, right?” she whispered.

  “Aye, lass. We take what we like.”

  I held still as a stone while she seemed to think for a spell.

  The questions all melted away as she stretched up, pressing her lips against mine. My arms gripped her tighter, pulling her up toward me as her lips parted. She melted against me, our skin pressed together. I nibbled her bottom lip, and she almost giggled, but then I grabbed her, lifting her to lie on top of me.

  Her soft gasp aroused me more, and her tongue instinctively darted between my lips. My hands caressed her lower back, gliding down to cup her behind in a very familiar way. Flora froze, perhaps realizing that she was practically squirming on top of me. My excitement became evident, pressing up against her knickers.

  But she didn’t stop. The feeling of her body pressed against me was exhilarating. Our lips parted more, and my tongue darted into her sweet mouth. Her hands wrapped into the back of my hair, and her legs spread as my thickness pressed between them.

  My eyes flew open as she seemed to lose herself in the moment. I finally broke off the kiss, but continued stroking her tight little backside. “Lassie, I had no idea you were so frisky in the mornings.”

  “I... I’m sorry, sir.” She tried to roll away, but I held her in an iron grip. Shockingly, instead of being afraid of being at my mercy, her eyes filled with lust. I released her immediately, and was relieved that she stayed in place.

  “Stay a moment, lass. You feel so lovely pressed against me.” She searched my eyes, then paused. “Whatever you’re thinking, sweet girl, go ahead.”

  Slowly she leaned down, setting her lips at the hollow of my throat, kissing me roughly, fluttering her tongue over my skin. She moved downward, using both of her hands and her lips to massage my chest.

  A soft moan rumbled from deep within me, and I hope it thrilled her to know how much she aroused me. I was gently rocking her against me, and my manhood was now pressing firmly into her stomach. I felt a shudder run through her, and immediately rolled her to the side. “Sorry, lass, I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

  “You didn’t...”

  I placed a finger over her lips, then removed it and gave her a small kiss. I looked out the small window, checking the angle of the sun. “We’ve overslept. The boys will likely tease us at breakfast. Dress quickly now.”

  She jumped up and turned her back to me to remove the nightshirt. As she pulled her dress on, Flora said, “I think that salve helped a little already.”

  “Good to hear,” I said, sneaking a glance. Her slim legs that had been wrapped around me moments before were in view for a second before she pulled her dress down. But those lash marks, still clearly visible if perhaps a bit less red and angry, made my heart lurch with sorrow.

  I should not be touching her so freely. Even though I was extremely relieved that she kissed me of her own accord, I needed to be careful with my timid lass. She should be touched with nothing but the most tender hand.

  “Don’t forget to have Larry put on more of that salve. You should do that every day.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  I knew I should have her call me by my name eventually. But dammit, it excited me to the very core every time she called me ‘sir’.

  ~ Chapter 9 ~ Flora ~

  * Storm *

  It was lovely that I was already learning the routine of the ship. First, there was breakfast with the men, filled with laughter and good-natured ribbing. Then most of them went to different spots to work on repairs, toolmaking, rope making, and the like.

  Larry seemed much less embarrassed as he spread ointment across my back, then he set me up with the day’s sewing before he left to repa
ir rigging. It was nice that he checked in with me every few hours. Somehow, sewing all day long wasn’t nearly as exhausting as my days back at home. Perhaps it was the fresh air. More likely, it was the way I was complimented on how much I’d accomplished, instead of belittled.

  I was delighted that everyone seemed to truly appreciate the dinner I helped with. Even Teeth enjoyed my potato and carrot mash with rosemary.

  After McGee and I washed up the dishes, I had a book selected to read to the men. Yet when Davy gathered a few of the lamps together, I realized my knees were beginning to tighten up. The floor was swaying gently.